Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku
Abubakar, has expressed his commitment to the newly elected executives of
USOSA, the umbrella association of Unity Schools alumni, under the leadership
of Professor Chidi Odinkalu, who was voted as President-General in Abuja on
Saturday, April 23.

In a congratulatory message released by
his media office, the Turaki Adamawa noted that his confidence in Odinkalu's
leadership was as a result of his long term awareness of the professor's
passion for education. Atiku is Grand Patron of the Federal Government College,
Okigwe, alumni association. Odinkalu was until his new appointment, Secretary
of the same association.

"Most of my philanthropic investments
are in the area of education, particularly with my founding of the American
University of Nigeria (AUN) while Odinkalu is a teacher who has spent a great
deal of his time teaching around the world and doing advocacy."

The former Vice President noted that
Odinkalu's emergence could not have come at a more critical time, when
education in our country faces huge challenges especially in the insurgency
ravaged North East. He added that the country's Unity Schools in particular are
in danger of going into extinction as centres of excellence and losing the
essence of their founding.

"One of my children attended Unity
Schools back in the day. Sadly, they are not what they used to be. But I have
faith that, with a new leadership of the association in place, advocacy can be
used to reverse the rot," he said.

The former Vice President also
congratulated other elected members of USOSA, reminding them that a tree does
not make a forest and assuring them of his support in their commitment to
ensure education for all.

"Alumni of Unity Schools are the last
vanguard in the battle of the unity of Nigeria," Atiku said.